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Dr Robert Hunter opened the inquest at Derby and Derbyshire Coroner’s Court. He told the court: “The death of Mr Singh was reported to the Coroner’s Office on March 12 by PC Hazeldine of Derbyshire Police.

Derby Coroners Court. (Image: Derby Telegraph)

“A post mortem took place at Royal Derby Hospital by Dr Andrew Hitchcock on March 14. The initial cause of death was given as fire fumes but this is not certain until toxicology tests have been taken."

Considerable effort was made to establish the identity of the Mr Singh. Official contacted the Indian Embassy with the supposed identity of Mr Singh.

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Mr Singh’s father, Sucha Singh, was contacted and sent hair follicles to England to be tested. On July 27, the samples were a match and the coroner’s office finally had an identity and an inquest could be opened.

Dr Hunter later revealed that initial reports indicated that Mr Singh and two other people living at the premises “were in the UK illegally”.

A spokesperson from Derbyshire police have since confirmed that two men, aged 41 and 42, who were present at the time of the fire have been arrested in relation to immigration offences. The matter is now being dealt with by immigration officials.

The inquest was adjourned until a fire, toxicology and further police reports were documented.

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